Practicing the Way: Scripture // Week 3: Study

Summary

This script emphasizes the importance of Scripture study and worship, urging believers to engage with the Bible not just as an academic exercise, but as a vital practice that fosters a deeper relationship with God. Drawing on the example of Jesus, it illustrates how Jesus used Scripture to resist temptation and stay true to God's path. The message encourages readers to understand the Bible's complexity, its historical context, and its genre diversity. Ultimately, the aim is to study with love and dedication, to know God more intimately, and to live a life of discipleship.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Bible is the bestselling book in history, yet many people don’t engage with it regularly, with only 9% of Americans reading it despite 78% owning a copy.
• 😀 Jesus, when tempted by the devil, always responded by quoting scripture, showing how deeply he was immersed in the Word of God.
• 😀 The devil also uses scripture, often twisting it to deceive. It's important to interpret the Bible correctly to avoid falling into misinterpretations.
• 😀 Misreading scripture can lead to harmful practices, such as the justification of slavery in the past, showing the need for accurate interpretation in today’s world.
• 😀 Regular study of the Bible is essential for deepening one's relationship with God, as it provides wisdom, spiritual formation, and alignment with God’s will.
• 😀 The Bible is a library of different genres, including poetry, law codes, biographies, and more, which require different approaches for proper understanding.
• 😀 Understanding the historical and cultural context of the Bible is crucial for interpretation. Without this, we risk misinterpreting passages and missing the intended meaning.
• 😀 The Bible tells a unified story from creation to recreation, with many apparent contradictions disappearing when we see them in light of the larger narrative.
• 😀 Study of scripture should be done in community. We should engage with trusted teachers, peers, and guides to better understand the Bible’s message.
• 😀 The ultimate goal of Bible study is not academic knowledge, but to love God more deeply and grow in spiritual maturity, as seen in the analogy of learning a language to better understand and love someone.

Q & A

What is the central message of the script?

The central message emphasizes the importance of deeply engaging with scripture, not just for intellectual understanding, but as a spiritual discipline motivated by love for God. The script stresses the need to study scripture in its historical and cultural context, as well as the necessity of applying it to one's life to form a deeper relationship with God.

Why does the speaker highlight the Bible's status as the 'bestselling least read book'?

The speaker uses this phrase to highlight the paradox that, despite the Bible being widely available, many people, especially in the United States, don't engage with it regularly or meaningfully. This disconnect is a central issue explored in the script.

What role does scripture play in the life of a Christian according to the script?

Scripture is presented as a pathway to a deeper relationship with God. It is not just an intellectual resource but a means of spiritual formation, teaching, and guidance. The script advocates for scripture as a foundational part of discipleship, essential for spiritual growth.

What example does the script give to demonstrate how Jesus used scripture?

The script references the story of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness from Luke 4. Jesus responds to the devil’s temptations by quoting scripture, particularly from Deuteronomy, showcasing how deeply scripture was embedded in His life and how it became His automatic response under pressure.

How does the devil manipulate scripture in the story of Jesus' temptation?

The devil quotes scripture to tempt Jesus, but he manipulates it by taking verses out of context or using them to distort their original meaning. This highlights the need for careful interpretation of scripture to avoid being deceived.

What is the importance of studying scripture in its original languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic)?

Studying scripture in its original languages is crucial because languages do not map perfectly over each other. Translating scripture involves interpretation, and understanding the original languages helps clarify nuances and meanings that might be lost in translation.

How does understanding the cultural context of scripture help in reading it accurately?

Scripture was written in an ancient cultural context that differs significantly from our modern world. Understanding the historical and cultural background of the text helps avoid misinterpretation and enables a more accurate and relevant application to contemporary life.

Why does the script describe the Bible as a 'library' rather than a 'book'?

The Bible is described as a library because it is a collection of various writings, including books, letters, laws, poetry, and historical accounts. Recognizing this helps readers understand the diversity of genres and interpret scripture accordingly, as each genre conveys truth in different ways.

What is the danger of misinterpreting scripture?

Misinterpreting scripture can lead to harmful actions, as the script references the historical misuse of the Bible to justify slavery. It highlights the importance of accurate interpretation to avoid using scripture for personal or sociopolitical agendas that distort its original message.

What is the ultimate motivation for studying scripture, according to the script?

The ultimate motivation for studying scripture is love. The script compares it to learning a new language for the purpose of deepening one's relationship with God, emphasizing that study should be driven by the desire to know and love God more intimately.